RDU On the Rise: Fall fun guide, concerts & woodpecker problems

Hey, all you cool cats and kittens. Welcome to the weekend!

It’s Kristen Johnson with The News & Observer and I’ve been chosen (like the Toy Story aliens) to bring you this week’s RDU On the Rise newsletter. I’m excited because this is my first one!

In fact, I’m having many “firsts” here at The N&O as this is my third official month as one of the breaking news reporters here. *throws confetti*

I twirled into the newsroom in June from Fayetteville though I have called the Triangle home since I was young. I’m also the general assignment reporter for western Wake County covering Cary, Morrisville, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Hawaii, the Fiji Islands, Australia… just to name a few.

It’s great to e-meet you!

Last stretch of 2022

Folks, I cannot stress enough how happy I am for cooler weather and now it’s officially fall (or as some call it, PSL season). And to top it off, we have the ultimate entertainment guide to 55+ events in the Triangle this fall, courtesy of my colleagues Colleen Hammond and Jessica Banov.

Time to start making outdoor plans! Today’s forecast shows temps in the low 70s and I’m elated.

Some things are worth standing outside in the heat for though, which I did this week for the announcement of a relocation of Wake Tech’s western campus to 34 acres in Apex. By my calculations, that’s like a lot of land, y’all.

The number of square feet is probably as big as the number of student loans I owe the government. Luckily, Kate Murphy had information about how to get relief and if you are among the more than a million people in the state who qualify for it.

Speaking of new developments, Aaron Sánchez-Guerra and Anna Johnson report there’s a new indoor concert venue coming to downtown Raleigh that includes a rooftop and lounge. Oooh.

I love a good rooftop. I also love a good concert.

Nas was in Raleigh last Saturday with the Wu-Tang Clan for their “NY State of Mind Tour” and Scott Sharpe took some phenomenal photos of it. You can check out our roundup of more shows coming later this year.

Personally, I’m waiting for Beyoncé to announce her tour dates now that she’s released her album, “Renaissance.” Have you listened yet?! If not, play the song “CUFF IT,” or Kevin Bacon’s favorite, “HEATED” immediately after reading this newsletter. I promise you won’t regret it.

Martha Quillin has the deets on Willie Nelson’s Farm Aid concert this Saturday at the Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek. I loved reading her stories about the event that “turns farmers into rock stars” for a day, and spotlights the importance of saving family farms. Some headliners include Sheryl Crow, Dave Matthews and John Mellencamp.

Whatcha doing this weekend?

Here’s a few fun things going on in our area:

• It’s National Hispanic Heritage Month through Oct. 15 and Aaron Sánchez-Guerra has a list of local events to celebrate Latin American culture, food and music.

• Check out Morrisville’s International Festival on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 2-6 p.m. — with a tutorial on how to play cricket.

• The AC Hotel in Downtown Raleigh turned 1 this week and invites you to enjoy a s’mores cocktail at its Willard Rooftop.

• Working on your fitness? Enjoy Family Health & Fitness Day at Pullen Park this Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

• Cary duo The One Eighties performs in South Durham on Sunday, Sept. 25 for Sofar Sounds.

• As I mentioned, Farm Aid is in town! Here’s what to know before you go.

Dance break!

One of my favorite things to do to bring in the weekend is dance! In addition to all of “Renaissance,” here are some faves right now on heavy rotation:

• “Escapade” - Janet Jackson

• “I Ain’t Worried” - OneRepublic

• “Last Last” - Burna Boy

• “Me Porto Bonito” - Bad Bunny & Chencho Corleone

• “Free Mind” - Tems

• “Can We Talk” - Tevin Campbell

Tell me: What’s your favorite song right now?

Is this your first time seeing RDU On the Rise? Get it weekly in your inbox: Sign up here.

Need a new show?

I’m pretty late to the “Game of Thrones” fan club. But I’m now hooked on “House of the Dragon” and have been anticipating the return of the acclaimed “Abbott Elementary.” Season 2 of the show aired Wednesday night, and it was as funny as ever.

Not sure what to watch these days? Brooke Cain gives a rundown in her Happiness is a Warm TV newsletter of the dates and times of popular shows including “Survivor” (which, amazingly, still comes on).

In the new season, there’s a poli-sci Ph.D student from Duke University as a contestant. This premiered Wednesday, too, in a two-hour episode on CBS.

Some stories to note

• Attention, travelers: The airport’s parking lots are packed, so a park-and-ride lot has reopened.

• Beep beep! Starting Tuesday, several streets in Raleigh are changing speed limits.

• Berkeley Cafe’s owners say whatever happens to them in rezoning plans, they’re going out with a bang — and cheeseburgers! Here’s a full Raleigh rezoning recap.

• The Triangle home-buying frenzy is cooling down — again. See what that means for the market.

• Football is back and the Triangle is once again cheering for their college teams. (Go Heels!)

• Duke’s Kate Bowler doesn’t have a feel-good story. You should hear it anyway. Meet our Tar Heel of the Month.

• After Hurricane Fiona’s impact on the Caribbean, here’s how you can help provide relief.

• Got a woodpecker problem? A statue of an owl might help keep them away, at least for the short-term.

Until next time

Dance and read away, friends! Thanks for joining me for this week’s RDU On the Rise.

Come back next Friday to read from my fellow American University alumna and service journalism reporter Kimberly Cataudella. (Can you believe we both graduated from AU in 2020 but had no idea until we met for the first time at The N&O? Wow, life.)

Toodaloo!

• Know anyone else who’d like to get this email? Forward them this newsletter, or send them this link so they can sign up.

• Want to sign up for more newsletters? Check out our many options here.

• No longer want to receive this newsletter? Hit the unsubscribe link near the bottom of this email.